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LOT 1435
Turco-Mongol Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
13TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
6 3/4 in. (520 grams, 17 cm).
A hollow ceramic vessel with cylindrical body, carinated shoulder, short neck and domed mouth, bands of impressed herringbone patterns to the shoulder, waist and body, alternated with floral pattern around a groove; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.
Cf. Arendt, W. I., 'Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind,' in Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p.42; cf. Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefasse aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16; for this specific shape see Nicolle, D., Arms and Armour of the Crusading Era, 1050-1350 AD, volume II, London, 1999, fig.784e.
FootnotesThis piece was a sort of ceramic fire grenade, similar to the ones used by the Eastern Romans but of Turco-Mongol type. Apart from the use of manual flame-throwers, special corps of soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations.
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Western Asiatic Copper Flat Axe
2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Flat in section with rounded butt and flared blade. 152 grams, 17.2 cm
From an old English collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex gentleman; acquired on the UK art market. -
Turco-Mongol Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
A hollow ceramic vessel with cylindrical body, carinated shoulder, short neck and domed mouth, bands of impressed herringbone patterns to the shoulder, waist and body, alternated with floral pattern around a groove; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 520 grams, 17 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.
This piece was a sort of ceramic fire grenade, similar to the ones used by the Eastern Romans but of Turco-Mongol type. Apart from the use of manual flame-throwers, special corps of soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. -
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Khazar Iron Sabre with Gilt Bronze Cross Guard
9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
A single-edged hand-forged sabre with a gently curving blade, an iron band welded beneath the cross guard, together with a tongue along the side of the blade; the separate gilt cross guard with spherical ornamented finials to the quillons, the central panel with a stylised face flanked by a pair of leaping lions biting the top of the head, the other side with a lozenge within a ropework frame. 610 grams, 80.5 cm
Fine condition.
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. Accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.114437-196034.
This exceptional sabre shows similarity with examples from the Caucasus and Kuban regions. The blade could be Khazar-Magyar, and certainly its best parallels are the specimens from Verchne-Szaltovo area. According to M. Gorelik, some of these sabres were produced by the Kabarians, a breakaway tribe from the Khazar State, who formed an alliance with the Magyars. The extra band welded beneath the quillons, together with the side tongue, not only protected the scabbard from being cut by the blade but, more importantly, defended the warrior’s fingers which were wrapped around the quillons when fighting.
